Total Time 6 H
Total Distance 12.5 Km
Highest Altitude 1340 m
Lowest Altitude 940 m
DIFFICULTY hard
Car or taxi: ER229 via Estreito de Camara do Lobos to Jardim da Serra and then to Boca da Corrida.
This trail begins at the Boca da Corrida belvedere and meanders along at elevations ranging between 940 and 1340 metres, whilst crossing part of the Central Mountainous Massif along the foot of the highest peaks of the island of Madeira. It is an old “Royal Path” that was paved and served as one of the main routes for the movement of persons on the island. It was used by landed gentry on horseback whose wives reclined in hammocks carried by men.
Points of interest: view of Curral das Freiras in the valley below. In 1566, this small village which is surrounded by enormous mountains in the very heart of the island became a refuge for nuns from the Santa Clara Convent, who brought with them the treasures of the convent when pirates attacked Funchal.
Plants: Laurel (Laurus azorica), the Madeira mahogany (Persea indica), centuries-old Madeira laurels (Ocotea foetens), and Lily-of-the-Valley trees (Clethra Arborea).
Birds: Firecrest (Regulus maderensis), the chaffinch (Frigilla coelebs maderensis), the buzzard (Buteo buteo harterti), kestrel (Falco tinnunculus canariensis), the Madeira long-toed pigeon (Columba trocaz), or the grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea schmitzi).
As you come around Pico Grande, the settlement of Serra d’Água and Encumeada come into sight, together with the large pipelines that carry water from the reservoir to the Serra d’Água Hydroelectric Plant, indicating that you are reaching the end of the trail at Boca da Encumeada.